Jonathan shines in gymnastics
Jonathan shines in gymnastics
By Emmy Fitri
JAKARTA (JP): There was high drama in the gymnastics stadium
yesterday, as a video review of a disputed performance ultimately
handed Indonesia the third of its five golds in the individual
apparatus.
The brouhaha over judging unfortunately overshadowed the feat
of Indonesian Jonathan Mangiring Sianturi, who won two golds
despite being waylaid by injury for several months.
Afrina Suryani Siahaan was awarded 8.100 for her routine on
the uneven bars, much to the dismay of the Indonesian camp and
the more than 10,000 spectators in the Raden Inten Gymnastics
Stadium, East Jakarta.
Afrina gasped after her score flashed on the electronic
scoreboard and women's team coach, Iouri Kouznetsov, was
outraged.
"It's not a fair judgment, I can't believe it," said the
Russian.
But women's assistant teach coach, Ade Supriatna, was more
pragmatic about the decision.
"It's a big disappointment, but we leave it up to the judges.
Maybe the Indonesian judge was in the minority."
After the judges watched a replay of her performance, Afrina
received a new score -- 8.125 -- to tie with Malaysia's Siew Ting
Chang. Bronze went to Cintamoni Tammy de la Cruz of the
Philippines.
Afrina was part of another medal tie, this time a silver, with
Ninh Tran Thi Hai from Vietnam in the vault. Malaysia's Au Li
Yen, 15, won the gold.
Jonathan let his flawless performances speak for themselves.
Many had doubted whether he had fully recovered from a nagging
right shoulder injury. He put together an enthralling floor
routine to score 8.800, ahead of Thailand's Aekaraj Chankroong
and Ahmad Akramin from Malaysia.
Jonathan silenced all questions about his fitness in the
rings, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. He beat
Amomthep Unchai of Thailand and compatriot Lulu Manurung.
"These performances were better than in Chiang Mai (the
previous Games) and we are satisfied," said Indonesian gymnastics
team manager Andi Darussalam, who had cried tears of joy before
Jonathan received his medals.
He added that the Games were also a wake-up call for
Indonesia.
"We only have one Jonathan, and he will be 27 in November,
which is relatively old in gymnastics."